FAQ

Paintball is an adult version of "capture the flag" children's game. It involves both mind and body, requiring the development of strategy and the execution of plans under constantly changing conditions. The game provides excitement and thrills, as well as healthful exercise and satisfying competition.

Paintball is played by teams, usually comprising four to ten members, that advance on or defend their flags. Participants use paintballs to mark one another with water soluble, non-toxic color to determine who is "out" for the round. The paintballs are propelled by hand held carbon dioxide powered devices.. The game ends when having marked (and thus eliminating) a sufficient number of opponents, one team has brought to its "home base" the opposing teams flag.

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2. Is paintball safe?

Paintball is an action sport, similar to football, hockey, and basketball. Players must use and wear prescribed safety equipment, and defer to calls by on-field officials who regulate the action. The paintballs are light thin plastic spheres about a half inch in diameter. They resemble bubble bath pellets, and propelled at 200-300 feet per second, break upon impact to release their color (which is easily washed from clothing), resulting in minimal (if any) pain. Because paintball calls for athletic movement, safety is enhanced when players are in reasonably good physical condition. The paintball field may incorporate natural contours, vegetation, and manufactured obstacles, presenting a moderate safety risk, which can be minimized by reasonable care and attention.

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3. Are individuals welcome at paintball fields, or is membership on a team necessary?

Both individuals and established teams are welcome. Informal teams are organized on a per game or per day basis to accommodate unaffiliated players.

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4. What services are offered by paintball facilities?

In general paintball facilities may provide rental equipment, instruction, one or more playing fields (invidious configurations), referees to officiate at games, and supplies (i.e., paintballs,co2, etc), equipment maintenance, and refreshments.

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5. What indicates that a paintball facility is well designed and managed?

The most important aspect of a well run paintball facility is its safety measures. These Include:

Requiring that everyone on the field always use and wear protective equipment.
Assuring that players always observe good safety practices.
Assigning sufficient referees to manage games, according to the number of players and the size of field.
Clearly explaining the ground rules of every game before it begins.

In addition, challenging paintball facilities offer a choice of fields, with various physical characteristics.

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6. How much does it cost to play paintball?

Each paintball facility establishes its own prices. Typically however, a day of play (commonly 9AM-3:30PM) runs about $25-$65. The entry fee often includes rental of equipment, such as mask or goggles, marker, and an initial supply of paintballs. Better than basic performance equipment may be available at an additional charge, and extra paintballs are generally sold for less than ten cents each. Supplies such as CO2 for players who own their equipment are usually offered.

New paintball equipment is sold at sporting good shops, paintball facilities, and specialized paintball stores. There is also an extensive used equipment market. Marker prices may range from $50 to several hundreds of dollars, for the most sophisticated models. Goggles begin at about $20, with paintballs costing three or four cents apiece. Information about equipment is published in several paintball magazines.

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7. What equipment should be brought to the paintball facility?

Aside from marker, mask and paintballs that may be owned by players, it is wise to bring lunch (if the facility does not provide food service), water for refreshment during games, sturdy dark clothes, and shoes or boots with good ankle support. Male players often wear a protective cup.

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8. What are good safety practices?

Paintball is a strenuous athletic activity, so players should be in reasonably fit condition. Physically limited people should consult a doctor to ascertain their suitability for paintball. Stretching and warm-up exercises prior to entering the field are recommended, and for the degree of exertion should not be allowed to exceed a players capabilities. Players should retire from action when they are fatigued. Facility management should be notified in advance of any medical conditions (e.g. allergies) that could affect a players ability to safety and comfortably participate in the game.

It is important to know the rules of the game, and to wear safety equipment on the field. Proper handling of equipment is essential. Markers should be treated as if they were firearms. Overcautioness is imperative, players should always:

Assume that every marker is loaded.
Expect that safety devices will malfunction.
Point the markers only at targets.
Unload the marker when not playing.
Inspect the marker upon receiving it to determine whether it is loaded.
Never look down a markers barrel without first detaching it from the stock or disconnecting the source of CO2 and testing it.

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9. Where is additional information about paintball available?

News and information about the sport appear in magazines such as Action Pursuit Games and Paintball Sports International. The rec.sport.paintball newsgroup is open to Internet users. Participants discuss various aspects of the sport, including equipment technology, playing strategies, and facility reviews. The site also serves players seeking to buy or sell used equipment.

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The International Paintball Players Association welcomes members. Its address is:
864 Sconset Lane
McLean Virginia 22102

Questions or comments about this site: Webmaster@executivepaintball.com

Developed and Maintained By:
Agawam Net

This page last updated:
07/06/2007

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